Monte Cristo | Dufour 35 Sloop 35ft

About

The Dufour 35, produced from 1972 to 1982 in La Rochelle, France, is a wonderful blend of classic features and innovation, another feather in the cap of the iconic French designer Michel Dufour.

At 7 tons, the Dufour 35 wont bounce like a cork in an ocean swell, yet the boat remains quick on its feet. The skeg-hung rudder and encapsulated cast-iron keel lend a feeling of security against a brush with an unidentified floating object. And with its extra-long fin keel, the 35 is maneuverable, tracks well, and can easily be balanced or hove to under sail. A removable baby stay allows a staysail to be set in a heavy blow.

The deep cockpit keeps the crew dry on all but the stiffest beats and also provides a secure perimeter for young children. Roomy port and stern lockers accommodate sails and gear.

Below, the Dufour 35 can challenge even the beamiest modern yachts in terms of living space. In addition to a saloon and forepeak cabin, it has a quarterberth on the starboard side aft, behind a spacious navigation table. Headroom is 6 feet throughout. Pilot berths line both sides of the saloon, and a convertible table/settee area sleeps two more. Altogether, the 35 offers a whopping eight berths, but four adults make a comfortable maximum on extended trips.

To port is an L-shaped galley with a gimbaled two-burner stove/oven and a cool box. Five large fixed ports provide light, while overhead hatches allow for good ventilation on tropical nights. Handholds are plentiful throughout the interior, and the boat has a wet locker that lies to port of the companionway. Excellent storage space is accessible under the settees and in the bilge.

The Dufour 35 is a liveaboard cruiser that can take sailors to the places of their dreams. Monte Cristo has already circumnavigated and is ready to take her new family anywhere they wish to go. She also boasts a very favourable 2022 Insurance Survey that is available in French only.